For Dawson (23-2-1), this is a chance to remind the division why he was once seen as one of the fastest-rising contenders while extending his win streak. He had hoped to accelerate his climb with three fights in 2025, but those plans fell through when Joel Alvarez opted to move up to welterweight.
“Dude, I would love to fight every week if they would let me. It’s not the UFC’s fault, it’s not Joel Alvarez’s fault. I had to fight him, he wanted to go to 70, and I’m so happy he went to 70,” Dawson told Cageside Press.
“That’s one less stallion I have to worry about.”
Dawson knows exactly what he’s dealing with on Saturday night. Against a fast-starting finisher like Manuel Torres, he cannot disguise the threat ahead of him.
“Manuel Torres, absolute stud, absolutely insanely good fighter. Live by the sword, die by the sword, he’s probably the most dangerous guy in the first round. This will definitely be a test,” he said.
“I’m not going to be a big favorite. If I am, this is a good test for me. I like to take on the challenge.”
Dawson believes the key to victory lies in imposing his style early and refusing to get caught up in Torres’ chaotic pace. For him, the match comes down to discipline, control and sticking to the fundamentals that have defined his best performances.
“I’m going to let him fight me the way I want to fight. Absolutely no brawling. There will be no brawling in this fight. A lot of footwork, a lot of good stylistic moves. I don’t want to say too much about the game plan, but I think everyone knows (how this fight is won),” he said.
“Everyone knows how this fight is going to go. It’s just a matter of whether he can implement his game plan, whether I can implement my game plan.”
Despite the stylistic contrast, Dawson doesn’t expect any surprises when the cage door closes. He knows Torres comes in prepared and fully aware of the tactical battle ahead.
“Manuel Torres is not an idiot. He’s a very intelligent man. He knows what I’m going to do, I know what he’s going to do, and it’s about who can do what he wants to do,” he said.
Watch the full interview with Grant Dawson above.
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